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Saturday 31 January

Confirmed EFE Release

EFE are now posting out the first of the pair of New Year Collector Association models announced earlier this month. (see 21st January posting below) 18016 Belfast Corporation (route 23) - Daimler Fleetline MCW Double Deck Bus

Friday 30 January

Commissioned EFE Bus For Invicta Model Rail

Invicta Model Rail Ltd of Sidcup, Kent have commissioned EFE to produce a limited edition London Transport Leyland National II model, the model is due to be released in April and will be limited to 300 pieces. The model features one of the former Red Arrow LS class dual door vehicles delivered in 1981, following a decline in the Red Arrow services it was one of several vehicles dispatched to Aldenham Works in late 1982. It was upseated and fitted with a ticket machine at Aldenham before being allocated to Stockwell Garage in January 1983 where it re-entered service on route P4 which ran between Brixton LT Station & Lewisham Bus Station. Under retendering in 1985, the P4 was lost to London Country, and LS488 spent further periods in store in between periods working services out of Holloway and Waterloo Depots. Upon privatisation LS488 became part of MTL London Northern. A move within MTL to Liverpool followed, before final scrapping during 2004. The model (EFE Ref 16903) features LS488 (GUW 488W) bound for Brixton LT Station and is priced £32.95 which includes free standard P&P. Pre-orders can be placed for the model by visiting the Invicta Model Rail web site.

Wednesday 28 January & Updated 29 January

LT Museum Shop Model Sale

The London Transport Museum Shop is having another sale and seem to be clearing the remaining stock of a quite a few EFE, Britbus & resin models, these include several exclusive Museum commissions. Among the EFE models on offer are several of the commissioned models produced for the Museum's Victoria Coach Station series, these are now all priced £9.99. The one off EFE Routemaster model (37801) of the unique single deck RM1368 that was used by Chiswick Work's experimental department is being offered for £24.99, a 50% discount on the RRP. The EFE four carriage Northern Line 1959/62 stock tube train set 99937 is another Museum commission that's been reduced by a third to £99.99 Britbus collector's may well be interested in the four commissioned Leyland Atlantean models, one pair carry the early yellow & green livery with flying polo emblems (AN2-001 & AN2-002) while the other pair come in N.B.C. green and feature vehicles with either London Country South West (AN1-001) or North West fleet names (AN1-002). All four are reduced to £25.99 . Finally just one of three Resin Specialist London double deck models that were reduced remains, the Optare Spectra dual door SP2 in East London Coaches colours which is reduced to £49.99 each. You can view the all discounted models on the LT Museum Shop site, all prices above exclude P&P.

Wednesday 28 January

Confirmed OOC Releases

The following OOC models have now been released by Corgi in the UK. These are the last of the OOC models featured in the June to December 2014 catalogue. The Arriva London Wright Eclipse Gemini II models OM46504A/B also featured in the catalogue are presumed to have been either cancelled or postponed. OM46409A Aircoach (First Group) (Dublin Express) - Ceatano CT650 Levante Coach OM46409B Aircoach (First Group) (Cork Express) - Ceatano CT650 Levante Coach OM46410A Lucketts Travel, Fareham (I.O.W. Festival) - Ceatano CT650 Levante Coach

Tueday 27 January

EFE Tower Transit Private Commission

The following model was mentioned in the last EFE Collectors' Association newsletter. EFE have kindly set me some photographs of the model which was issued to their staff as a Christmas gift and commemorates the withdrawal of the London Heritage route 9 which was operated by the company. Please note the model was produced for internal use within the company only and will not be made available for sale direct to the public. 31513 Tower Transit (London Transport Heritage route 9) - AEC RM Class Routemaster See also the EFE News blog

Sunday 25 January

Scheduled EFE Releases For Early February

The following three EFE models are scheduled to be released during the week ending the 14th February. 18013 Birmingham City Transport (route 58) - Daimler Fleetline MCW Double Deck Bus 23805 Glasgow P.T.E. - Alexander Bodied Leyland Atlantean Double Deck Bus 38117 Midland General - Bristol VRT Flat Windscreen Double Deck Bus

Information kindly supplied by

Thursday 22 January

First EFE Collectors Association Newsletter of 2015

EFE has sent out the first collectors Association Newsletter of 2015 along with Release Sheet 1 2015. As mentioned in the posting yesterday an order form for the two special association member models is also included. As many will be aware this year marks the 100th Anniversary of Southdown Motor Services and to commemorate this EFE will be releasing a number of Southdown models during the year. The first of these will be another Bachmann Stockists exclusive and depicts the preserved 36’ Marshall bodied Leyland Leopard BUF 122C, which first entered service with Southdown in 1965. Decorated in the classic livery, numbered 122 and shown working on route 18 to Brighton. Each model will be issued with a numbered certificate in a unique Southdown Ticket design. The model's ref code is 35308. Further background details about the vehicle & model can be found on the EFE news blog. The two recently released models (31306 & 22823) produced for Bachmann appointed retailers are listed as commissions for "Bachmann Europe" on the newsletter. Another commissioned model not previously announced is 31513 an AEC Routemaster on heritage route 9 bound for Trafalgar Square. The model depicts RM1204 (204 CLT) and has Visit Australia adverts. The model was commissioned by Tower Transit and was used as a Christmas gift for employees. There are two previously unannounced models listed in forthcoming releases section of the newsletter. As usual there are only brief details given. 23323 Valliant - AEC RF Coach 28824 London Transport - Leyland Titan 2 Door Bus

Courtesy of EFE, scans & a PDF of Release Sheet 1 2015 front & rear. You can view a PDF version of the release sheet HERE (6.6mb).

Thursday 22 January & Updated Friday 23

New Models Announced By Oxford Die-cast

A number of bus & coach related items are among the latest batch of new models announced by Oxford Die-cast at the London Toy Fair. 1/76 Scale Bus & Coach 76BMC004 Harris Coaches - BMC Mobile Booking Office - Due 3Q/2015 76LRT006 Lough Swilly - Leyland Royal Tiger Coach - Due 2Q/2015 76OWB011 MacBraynes - Bedford OWB Utility Bus - Due 2Q/2015 76WFA003 Neath & Cardiff - Weymann Fanfare AEC Coach - Due 2Q/2015 Other New 1/76 Scale Tooling 76ACF001 Austin Cambridge - Persian Blue/White 76DOR001 Dorchester ACV - 8th Armoured Division 1941 76FT1001 Ford Transit Mk1 Van - White 76KOM001 Komatsu PC340 Komatsu Stand Boom Digger - Yellow 76MB001 Mercedes Actros MP4 GSC Curtainside - Eddie Stobart 76QLB001 Bedford QLB - 4th Infantry, UK 1942 76VE001 Volvo 245 Estate - Green 76VV001 Vauxhall Vectra Rio Verde N Scale Bus & Coach NIRZ001 Eurolines - Scania Irizar PB Tri-Axle Coach (New Tooling) - Due 2Q/2015 NPE008 Stagecoach (Coastrider X7 branding) - Plaxton Elite Coach - Due 2Q/2015 Other New N Scale Tooling NMWD001 Bedford MWD - Royal Engineers NWM001 Whitby Ice Cream - Walls

Wednesday 21 January

Confirmed EFE Releases & Two New Subscriber Specials

The following EFE have now been released in the UK. 17510 Kelvin Scottish Cumbernauld's Buses - Long Leyland National MK II Single Deck Bus 27704 London Transport Country Area (route 314) - AEC STL Double Deck Bus Without Roof Box 29012 Grey Green (route 179) - GM Standard Leyland Fleetline Double Deck Bus 38116 Crosville N.B.C. (route R11) - Bristol VRT Flat Windscreen Double Deck Bus EFE has today announced the next pair of specials for members of their collectors association. Note the models can only be purchased by current association members and are each priced £32.50 inc P&P. Order forms are expected to be sent out with the next newsletter posting. 34111 London Transport (Red RT2010 / route 90 to Kew Gardens Station) - AEC RT Double Deck Bus 18016 Belfast Corporation (584 / route 23 to City Hall) - Daimler Fleetline MCW Double Deck Bus More details about the models & collectors association can be found on the Exclusive First Editions news blog.

Tuesday 20 January

Confirmed EFE Release

Another of the Bachmann appointed stockist's exclusive EFE models has been released. I've had confirmation that the model was on sale at the London Transport Museum Shop yesterday and will no doubt also be available from other appointed stockist's as well. 28823 London Transport T1983 (Gold/route 188) - Dual Door Leyland Titan Double Deck Bus (Bachmann appointed stockists only)

Monday 19 January

Another New Routemaster Model

These probably won't worry Corgi too much, but just like the original Routemaster, other toy manufacturers are eyeing the lucrative market for a model of London's latest iconic red double deck bus. Rüdiger Schreiber at http://www.modellbus.info has sent me details of this model which is clearly inspired by London's latest bus, produced in China it features some subtle changes such as "Super" fleet names in place of Arriva & an unusual green LT roundel on the rear. The side advertisements are clearly based on those used on the prototype vehicles and the fleet number LT2 is also authentic. Quite what TFL will make of it, one can only guess. I believe Corgi hold the sole rights to produce models of these striking vehicles. The Chinese model does however sport some extra features, including a pullback & go mechanism, working lights and sound effects. For further details see the original article at http://www.modellbus.info (scroll down to the 9th January posting), you can view an English translation of the German article using this Google Translate link.

Friday 16 January

Northcord/CMNL Spares & Future Commissioned Models

Chris from TTC Die-cast has emailed me today with news of some developments concerning Northcord Models. Firstly he has launched a new site www.northcordspares.com which lists all the CMNL & Northcord spares currently in stock and those available to pre order, it has clear pictures of the parts and postage will be free on these spares if they are sent with other orders. TTC are also negotiating commissioned runs of white Enviro 400 and Scania Omnicity double deckers, they hope to order these as soon as they have confirmation of the price and the Chinese factories have reopened after the New Year Holidays. TTC are fairly confident that they will soon be able to make an announcement about another new commissioned E400 model, it is one of a several planned commissions upon which negotiations continue with Northcord Models.

Friday 16 January

New Pictures of Forthcoming B-T Models

B-T have issued new photographs showing four forthcoming lorry models. The three N scale models were announced back in 2013, while the 1/76 scale model appears to show model DA88 announced last week. Note the photograph shows the model as DA87 which is listed as a Hoveringham Ford D Bulk Tipper. N Scale N010 British Road Services - Albion CX 2 Axle Flatbed & Trailer N013 Wynns - Foden DG 3 Axle Flatbed N016 British Road Services Airedale - Albion CX7 3 Axle Flatbed 1/76 Scale DA88 British Railways - Thames Trader SWB Tipper - British Railways

Thursday 15 January

Confirmed Oxford Die-cast Release

The first issue of the new Oxford Die-cast Plaxton Panorama Coach has now been released. 76PAN001 Southdown - Plaxton Panorama I Coach

Tuesday 13 January

Next EFE Releases & A Bachmann Train Pack Model Bus

The following models are scheduled for release during the week ending 24th January. 17510 Kelvin Scottish Cumbernauld's Buses - Long Leyland National MK II Single Deck Bus 27704 London Transport Country Area (route 314) - AEC STL Double Deck Bus Without Roof Box 29012 Grey Green (route 179) - GM Standard Leyland Fleetline Double Deck Bus 38116 Crosville N.B.C. (route R11) - Bristol VRT Flat Windscreen Double Deck Bus EFE have today released photographs of the Guide Friday open top Bristol VRT model which has been exclusively produced for Bachmann. The model will form part of the special collectors edition "The Shakespeare Express" Train Pack 30-525. The set will also include the GWR Hall class 4965 locomotive "Rood Aston Hall" and three carriages consisting of Two Umber & Cream Pullman Cars No.335 and No.349 & BR MK1 BSK Coach Chocolate & Cream W35470. The pack which is expected to be released around April or May has a RRP of £199.95. Further details can be found on the Exclusive First Editions News Blog.

Cat No.  18615 Vehicle  Bristol VRT III Open Top Bus Operator  Guide Friday (Ensign Bus Co) Fleet No.  -- Registration  VDV 143S Route  The Stratford Tour Expected  Due 2015 - Part of Bachmann Train Park

Model releases information kindly supplied by

Sunday 11 January

Eight New Models Announced By B-T

The following eight new 1/76 scale models have been announced on the John Ayrey web site. There are only photographs of the Bristol LD models at the moment. B112A Eastern Counties (LKD228 - OVF 228 / Service 239) - Bristol LD5G Double Deck Bus (long radiator / platform doors) B112B Eastern Counties (LKD231 - SAH 231 / Service 216) - Bristol LD5G Double Deck Bus (short radiator / platform doors) B203A Wilts & Dorset (Devizes) - Bristol MW Single Deck Bus B203B Wilts & Dorset (Weymouth) - Bristol MW Single Deck Bus DA87 Hoveringham - Ford D Series Bulk Tipper - Hoveringham DA88 British Railways - Thames Trader SWB Tipper - British Railways DA89 Rosser of Pontlliw - AEC Mammoth Major Flatbed DA90 Hoveringham Gravel - Dodge Parrot Nose Tipper

Thursday 8 January

Confirmed EFE Release

The following EFE model has now been released and is exclusively available from Bachmann Appointed Stockists only. 31306 London General (Driver Trainer) - Daimler Fleetline DMS B20 Double Deck Bus

Monday 5 January

Lancer Models Kits Update

Lancer Models have three new kits in stock. L28 - BMMO (Midland ‘Red’) CL3 Plaxton Re-Body C36F Rebodied BMMO C3 class touring coach L29 - BMMO tow truck (NO CRANE) Modelled as preserved at Wythall L30 - BMMO LS20 Willowbrook Leopard DP Two previous kits are also now back in stock D7 - BMMO (Midland 'Red') D7 H63RD 350 of these double deckers entered service in 1953-57 - transfers included L14 - BMMO (Midland 'Red') S14 B44F The lightweight single decker built 1955-59 - transfers included A list of the other currently available Lancer Kits can be found along with contract details on the Lancer Models page in the kits section.

Sunday 4 January

Next Oxford Die-cast Omnibus Range Release

The first issue of the new Oxford Die-cast Plaxton Panorama Coach is due to be released in the week commencing the 12th January. 76PAN001 Southdown - Plaxton Panorama I Coach I can also confirm the following model was released in December. 76COM004 Billy Smart's Circus Advance Unit - Commer Commando Coach (Oxford Showtime range)

Sunday 4 January

Mark Hughes Kits Press Release

I've recieved the following press release from Mark Hughes regarding the latest new products. At long last progress is being made with the Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL kit in resin format. Photos show the short (9.5m) body shell and interior masters and a couple of versions (P21c and e) are now available, with other variations and the long (10m) variety to follow. White metal castings are being provided for the umpteen variations of front and rear panels. Seats are being supplied as individual white metal castings (bus as standard, coach on request) with the option of etched bus seats with plastic strip or cast metal cushions, but it is hoped to cater for standard layouts later by producing racks of 6 or so double seats as resin castings. The main variations are as follows, with alternative parts supplied within the sets. P21a Leyland, Scottish Bus Group. P21b Leyland, 2nd grille, 4-piece windscreen (eg Stevensons). P21c Leyland, 2nd grille, 2-piece V windscreen. P21d Leyland, Luton & District. P21e Leyland, BET windscreen (except Luton or Strathclyde). P21f Leyland, Strathclyde Buses. P21g Volvo (except Strathclyde). P21h Volvo, Strathclyde Buses. The only 10m (ref P22r) equivalents will be c, e and g. The price is £43 plus £3.20 postage per kit. Don't forget to specify which seats are required. In a real throwback to the past, the Megadekka 3-axle Olympian/RL project, which consists of etched brass sides with other items in white metal, is being revived. Etchings have been in stock for years but problems with the castings led to the project falling by the wayside. Work is also proceeding on the Supreme IV Express (11m) master and the Homalloy bonnet and body modifications for Edinburgh Leyland PD3 998 (PWS998) to adapt the Marsden kit. A few more nickel silver etches are now available. Badges are BMMO, Guy Arab UF, Atkinson (small for buses, large for lorries) and Mercedes (small for MCV Evolution, large for Citaro), all 80p each. Also the “wings” motif for Duple Elizabethans (£1.20 each) and Volvo/Scania drilled wheel nut rings (£1.20 a pair). A very few of the following are available, partly to gauge demand:- Duple “Bella” series trims, plain for Willowbrook buses/DPs, and with lettering for Bella Vega and Bella Vista so far (£3.50 plus 93p postage), Saro Tiger Cub, etc, skirt trims (£2.50), AEC Regent III grille (white metal casting £1.50), Liverpool Corporation Leyland PD2 grille (brass, £1.50), body trims for Sunrise Alexander 1955 single-decker (Alexander Northern and later Midland versions, £5 plus 93p p&p, shown together in scan). A standard-rate sae (or 62p) will cover postage on these items except where shown as 93p. Note that Royal Mail charges increased on 31st March 2014 and no doubt will do so again around the same date in 2015. Contact details & the full product range can be found on the Gloucestershire Transport History site.